News
Jamaican officials point to management plans as debt falls
Jamaica set to reduce debt-to-GDP ratio to 125% in pursuit of 90% target; officials from central bank and debt management branch welcome changes in past year
‘Decarbonisation’ could allow investors to hedge climate risks, economists say
Economists claim low-carbon index can deliver similar performance to benchmark indexes while hedging the uncertain timing of climate change policy-making
Tensions rise between Irish trade union and central bank over staff structure
Trade union says it will ballot members over strike action unless the central bank consults it over changes to staffing and salary structures; bank says a discussion will ‘commence in near term’
Bank of Russia holds after oil prices enter ‘risk scenario’
The falling oil price puts Russia at increased risk of recession while inflationary pressures grow, the Bank of Russia says, as it keeps its policy rate unchanged
Severely adverse scenario will now include ‘more severe downturn’ for US
Severely adverse scenario will now include ‘more severe downturn’ in the US economy; two new BHCs will take part, bringing total number to 33
BoE reveals final element of ring-fencing framework
Systemic risk buffer will apply to ring-fenced assets, with the aim of preventing banks amplifying stress; BoE also hopes it will give smaller banks a competitive boost
BoJ slashes key rate below zero in contentious decision
Kuroda mulls further cuts as central bank intensifies battle against 'deflationary mind-set' in 5-4 vote; yen drops as inflation forecast revised down
Ukrainian central bank faces ‘difficult balancing act’
Ukraine’s central bank has boosted its foreign exchange reserves but faces high inflation and unemployment, a ‘weaker-than-expected’ recovery and possible currency pressure
Kganyago reiterates ‘hiking cycle’ as Sarb raises rates
Risks noted at previous MPC meeting are now materialising; continued volatility expected in the exchange rate
US Fed committee keeps close eye on global developments
Federal Open Market Committee watching impact of global events on risks to its economic outlook; notes mixed developments as it holds interest rate target
Capital controls essential for small open economies, Guðmundsson says
Small open economies cannot conduct fully independent monetary policy if they are unwilling to use capital controls at least some of the time, Icelandic governor says
People: Ireland appoints first female deputy governor; Sri Lanka also names deputy
Irish central bank appoints first female deputy governor; Sri Lanka appoints deputy; change in leadership at Chinese foreign exchange regulator; and more
RBNZ holds but hints at future easing as outlook worsens
New Zealand dollar reaches four-month low as Reserve Bank of New Zealand hints at prolonged inflation battle
Parliamentary enquiry criticises Irish central bank
The Central Bank of Ireland failed to address issues in the country’s banking sector with its ‘light touch’ regulation, an Irish parliamentary report finds
Bank of England prepares to overhaul ageing RTGS system
Central bank will spend year outlining plans for replacement to high-value payments system, keeping an open mind at present as to what features it should have
Bundesbank over halfway towards gold repatriation goal
Deutsche Bundesbank repatriated 210 tonnes of gold in 2015, it says; 41% of gold reserves now housed in Frankfurt
State Bank of Pakistan reveals first MPC members
Formation of monetary policy committee is part of a broader drive towards independence and inflation targeting; one seat remains unfilled
Future Fund shifts from equities to cash and achieves above-target return in 2015
Australia’s sovereign wealth fund, the Future Fund, shifted from equities to cash to reduce its risk exposure, senior management say; yearly returns were above target
BoE’s Forbes weighs up varying policy paths in US and UK
Bank of England MPC member Kristin Forbes sees ‘striking’ similarities between the countries’ labour markets, but this does not necessarily mean the same policy is appropriate
Andrew Bailey agrees to lead FCA
PRA chief executive accepts top job at UK’s other financial regulator after being asked to take the role, but may not make the move for some months
National Bank of Belgium closes scientific library
The National Bank of Belgium will close its research library in Brussels in March; diminished need for the facility due to more widespread access to electronic resources, bank says
Carney says supervisors must improve understanding of electronic trading
BoE officials say work is progressing on understanding the risks and impact on ‘system dynamics’ caused by rise of electronic trading, but emphasise it is not all bad
Kosovo’s ELA rules are ‘major improvement’, say IMF staff
Central Bank of the Republic of Kosovo adopts regulation setting out the conditions for emergency fund provision; staff at IMF welcome the additional ‘detail and rigour’
Cyprus on track to complete programme by March, finance minister tells MEPs
Cyprus will continue with fiscal discipline and market-orientated reforms once adjustment programme ends, finance minister tells European parliament; rejects ‘tax haven’ claims